Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults - Consumer Summary | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

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Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults - Consumer Summary | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults

EHC Component

• EPC Project

Topic Title

• Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults: An Update

Full Report

• Research Review Jun. 1, 2012

Related Products for this Topic

• Research Protocol Dec. 6, 2010
• Clinician Summary Nov. 20, 2012
• Executive Summary Apr. 24, 2012

Related Topics

• Drug Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults: Update of a 2007 Report

Related Links for this Topic

• CME Activity: Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
• Slide Talk: Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults

For free print copies of this summary, call 800-358-9295. Ask the Publications Clearinghouse for AHRQ Publication 12(13)-EHC025-A

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Consumer Summary – Nov. 20, 2012

Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults

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Table of Contents

• Is This Information Right for Me?
• Understanding Your Condition
• Understanding Your Options
• Making a Decision
• Source

Is This Information Right for Me?

Yes, this summary is for you if:

• Your doctor* has told you that you have rheumatoid (pronounced ROOM-ah-toyd) arthritis (RA).
• Your doctor has suggested that you take one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs, pronounced DEE-mardz) to treat your RA.
  • Abatacept (Orencia®)
  • Adalimumab (Humira®)
  • Anakinra (Kineret®)
  • Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®)
  • Etanercept (Enbrel®)
  • Golimumab (Simponi®)
  • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®)
  • Infliximab (Remicade®)
  • Leflunomide (Arava®)
  • Methotrexate (Folex®, Rheumatrex®, Trexall®)
  • Rituximab (Rituxan®)
  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine EN-Tabs®, Sulfazine®)
  • Tocilizumab (Actemra®)
• Your doctor has suggested you take a corticosteroid together with a DMARD to treat your RA.
  • Methylprednisolone (Depo Medrol®, Medrol®, Solu-Medrol®)
  • Prednisolone (Delta-Cortef ®, Econopred®, Orapred®, Pediapred®, Prelone®)
  • Prednisone (Deltasone®, Liquidpred®, Sterapred®)
• You want to know what research says about the benefits and side effects of these medicines.

* This summary uses the term “doctor” to talk about all the health care professionals that may take care of you, including your physician, rheumatologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

This summary is not for you if:

• You have a type of arthritis other than RA, such as osteoarthritis.
• Your doctor has not suggested that you take DMARDs or corticosteroids for your RA.
• You are under age 18. This information is from research on adults.